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Ritchie Blackmore at the first Monsters of Rock in 1980

Ritchie Blackmore of headliners Rainbow at the very first Monsters of Rock on 16th August 1980. The show was Cozy Powell's last as Rainbow drummer.

Monsters of Rock 1980 line-up

Rainbow promoter Paul Loasby together with Maurice Jones organised a one-day music festival in the UK celebrating hard rock and heavy metal music. The inaugural Monsters of Rock was held at Donington Park racetrack on 16th August 1980 with Rainbow topping a bill that also featured Judas Priest, Scorpions, April Wine, Saxon, Riot and Touch. Saxon were so enamoured by the experience, Biff Byford wrote the song 'And the Bands Played On' about it.

Monsters of Rock stage in 1983

With the stage located in a natural amphitheatre, the slopping ground allowed better viewing for attendees.

AC/DC at Monsters of Rock 1981

Buoyed by the success of the first year – which was originally meant to be a one-off event – Monsters of Rock returned on Saturday 22nd August 1981 with a stellar line-up of AC/DC, Whitesnake, Blue Öyster Cult, Slade, Blackfoot and More.

Slade at Monsters of Rock 1981

Slade guitarist Dave Hill strikes a pose on a speaker stack in front of the 65,000 strong Donington crowd at Monsters of Rock 1981.

Slade at Monsters of Rock 1981

Slade frontman Noddy Holder puckers up to guitarist Dave Hill at Monsters of Rock 1981.

Slade at Monsters of Rock 1981

Slade's Dave Hill in his eye-catching snakeskin trousers at Monsters of Rock 1981.

Whitesnake at Monsters of Rock 1981

Whitesnake frontman David Coverdale on stage at Monsters of Rock 1981. The band were touring their fourth studio album 'Come an' Get It.'

Whitesnake at Monsters of Rock 1981

Whitesnake guitarist and songwriter Bernie Marsden at Monsters of Rock 1981.

Monsters of Rock 1982 line-up

The third Monsters of Rock boasted performances from Status Quo, Gillan, Saxon (the first band to grace the hallowed turf of Donington twice), Hawkwind, Uriah Heep and Anvil.

Gillan at Monsters of Rock 1982

Gillan's eponymous frontman Ian Gillan on stage at Monsters of Rock 1982, flanked by a young guitarist by the name of Janick Gers. No idea what he went on to do...

ZZ Top at Monsters of Rock 1983

ZZ Top's Dusty Hill, Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons backstage at Monsters of Rock on Saturday 20th August 1983. The event was headlined by Whitesnake with Meat Loaf, Twisted Sister, Dio and Diamond Head also on the bill.

ZZ Top at Monsters of Rock 1983

ZZ Top's Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons on stage at Monsters of Rock 1983.

Dio at Monsters of Rock 1983

Eponymous Dio frontman Ronnie James Dio on stage at Monsters of Rock 1983. Just three months earlier, Dio had unleashed their seminal debut album 'Holy Diver.'

Dee Snider and Ronnie James Dio at Monsters of Rock 1983

Twisted Sister at Monsters of Rock 1983

The view from the crowd as Twisted Sister take to the stage at Monsters of Rock 1983.

Meat Loaf at Monsters of Rock 1983

The late-great Michael Lee Aday - aka Meat Loaf - screams at Monsters of Rock 1983 where he was the penultimate act of the day.

Meat Loaf at Monsters of Rock 1983

Late rock legend Meat Loaf backstage at Monsters of Rock 1983 with wife Leslie and daughters Pearl and Amanda.

Monsters of Rock 1984

A ticket for the fifth Monsters of Rock on Saturday 18th August 1984 when AC/DC became the first band in the event's history to headline twice. Also on the bill were Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore, Y&T, Accept and Mötley Crüe.

Eddie Van Halen at Monsters of Rock 1984

Eddie Van Halen backstage with The Who's John Entwistle at Monsters of Rock 1984.

Eddie Van Halen at Monsters of Rock 1984

The late-great Eddie Van Halen walks to the stage at Monsters of Rock 1984.

Van Halen at Monsters of Rock 1984

Van Halen brought their pulsating live show to Monsters of Rock 1984. It proved to be the band's final show in the UK with David Lee Roth as their exuberant frontman – he would return to Monsters of Rock four years later as a solo artist, however.

Monsters of Rock 1984

The crowd at Donington Park, Leicestershire at Monsters of Rock 1984

ZZ Top at Monsters of Rock 1985

Looking resplendent in their matching flamed jackets, ZZ Top made the step up to headliners at Monsters of Rock 1985. Marillion, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Ratt and Magnum also performed.

Bon Jovi at Monsters of Rock 1985

Eponymous Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi on stage at Monsters of Rock 1985. The New Jersey rockers were touring their second album '7800° Fahrenheit.'

Metallica at Monsters of Rock 1985

San Francisco metallers Metallica made their Monsters of Rock debut on Saturday 17th August 1985. Pictured are Cliff Burton, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield backstage.

Bon Jovi at Monsters of Rock 1985

Bon Jovi's Alec John Such, Tico Torres, David Bryan, Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi backstage at Monsters of Rock 1985.

Monsters of Rock 1986 line-up

Ozzy Osbourne headlined the seventh Monsters of Rock on Saturday 16th August with Scorpions, Def Leppard, Mötorhead, Bad News and Warlock also performing the day. It was a landmark gig for Def Leppard as it was Rick Allen's first major concert appearance since he lost his left arm following a car crash on 31st December 1984.

Monsters of Rock 1987

The sun-kissed crowd at Monsters of Rock 1987. Alongside headliners Bon Jovi, the line-up also featured Dio, Metallica, Anthrax, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella.

Bon Jovi at Monsters of Rock 1987

Bon Jovi looking radiant backstage at Monsters of Rock on Saturday 22nd August 1987. Now rock superstars thanks to their blockbuster third album 'Slippery When Wet', Bon Jovi headlined the Donington event.

Metallica at Monsters of Rock 1987

Metallica frontman James Hetfield at Monsters of Rock 1987. The band were still on their touring cycle for their masterpiece third studio album 'Master of Puppets.'

Bon Jovi at Monsters of Rock 1987

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora gets lost in the moment on stage at Monsters of Rock in August 1987.

Anthrax at Monsters of Rock 1987

Anthrax are photobombed by Metallica's James Hetfield backstage at Monsters of Rock 1987.

Dio at Monsters of Rock 1987

Dio backstage at Monsters of Rock in August 1987. It was Ronnie James Dio and co.'s second appearance at Donington Park.

Anthrax at Monsters of Rock 1987

Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian at Monsters of Rock 1987. Nice shorts!

Monsters of Rock 1988 line-up

As part of their mammoth Seventh Tour of a Seventh Tour trek, Iron Maiden headlined Monsters of Rock 1988. The line-up also featured KISS, David Lee Roth, Megadeth, Guns N' Roses and Helloween.

Monsters of Rock 1988 hit by tragedy

Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose at Monsters of Rock 1988. Tragically, two young men lost their lives when there was a surge at the front of the 100,000 strong crowd during the set. The event was cancelled in 1989.

Aerosmith at Monsters of Rock 1990

Aerosmith backstage at Monsters of Rock on Saturday 18th August 1990. Following the tragedy two years earlier, the event returned with a reduced capacity of 75,000 people.

Whitesnake at Monsters of Rock 1990

Whitesnake's Adrian Vandenberg during the band's headline slot at Monsters of Rock 1990. Aerosmith, Poison, The Quireboys and Thunder also performed on the day.

Whitesnake at Monsters of Rock 1990

Whitesnake lynchpin David Coverdale at Monsters of Rock 1990.

The Quireboys at Monsters of Rock 1990

Monsters of Rock 1990

The crowd at Monsters of Rock 1990.

Thunder at Monsters of Rock 1990

AC/DC at Monsters of Rock 1991

AC/DC headlined Monsters of Rock for a third time on Saturday 17th August 1991. A year later, the band released the concert on VHS as 'Live at Donington 1991.'

AC/DC at Monsters of Rock 1991

AC/DC's Malcolm and Angus Young at Monsters of Rock 1991. The impressive line-up also boasted Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Queensrÿche and The Black Crowes.

Metallica at Monsters of Rock 1991

Metallica frontman James Hetfield at Monsters of Rock 1991, which took place just five days after the band unleashed their blockbuster fifth album 'Metallica' – AKA 'The Black Album.'

Monsters of Rock 1991

The crowd at Monsters of Rock 1991.

Mötley Crüe at Monsters of Rock 1991

Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil at Monsters of Rock 1991. It was their second appearance at the legendary event.

The Black Crowes at Monsters of Rock 1991

The Black Crowes' vocalist Chris Robinson at Monsters of Rock 1991 where the band opened proceedings.

Monsters of Rock 1992

With Iron Maiden headlining for a second time, the stage at Monsters of Rock 1992 was adorned with Melvyn Grant's tree-like incarnation of Eddie from Iron Maiden's 'Fear of the Dark' album and Mark Wilkinson's demonic Eddie from the Monsters of Rock poster.

Iron Maiden at Monsters of Rock 1992

Headliners Iron Maiden backstage at Monsters of Rock on Saturday 22nd August 1992. Their stellar performance was immortalised with the November 1992 live album and VHS video 'Live at Donington' and the set culminated with former guitarist Adrian Smith guesting on 'Running Free.'

Monsters of Rock 1992

Iron Maiden fans at Monsters of Rock 1992.

Skid Row at Monsters of Rock 1992

Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach on stage at Monsters of Rock 1992. Alongside Iron Maiden and Skid Row, the line-up also featured Thunder, Slayer, W.A.S.P. and The Almighty.

Aerosmith at Monsters of Rock 1994

Aerosmith's Steven Tyler in his questionable choice of head gear during the band's headline set at Monsters of Rock on Saturday 4th June 1994. There was no event in 1993 as organisers couldn't find a suitable headliner.

Pantera at Monsters of Rock 1994

Late-great Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell during the band's set at Monsters of Rock 1994.

Monsters of Rock 1994

The view of the main stage at Monsters of Rock 1994. For the first time, the Donington extravaganza featured two stages. Aerosmith, Extreme, Sepultura, Therapy? and Pride & Glory played the main stage, with The Wildhearts, Terrorvision, Skin, Biohazard, Cry of Love and Headswim on the second stage.

Extreme at Monsters of Rock 1994

Extreme's Mike Mangini, Nuno Bettencourt, Pat Badger and Gary Cherone backstage at Monsters of Rock 1994.

Monsters of Rock 1994

The view of the glorious crowd from the stage at Monsters of Rock 1994.

Monsters of Rock 1994

One Monsters of Rock attendee imbibes a touch too much in 1994.

Metallica at Escape from the Studio ‘95

Metallica headlined Donington Park on Saturday 26th August 1995, however it was on the proviso that the Monsters of Rock name was switched for Escape from the Studio '95. The name reflected Metallica's decision to headline while recording the 'Load' album.

Slash’s Snakepit at Escape from the Studio ‘95

Guns N' Roses legend Slash on stage with his band Slash's Snakepit at Escape from the Studio '95.

Escape from the Studio ‘95

The very steamy crowd during Metallica's set at Escape from the Studio '95

Ozzy Osbourne at Monsters of Rock 1996

The final Monsters of Rock at Donington Park took place on Saturday 17th August 1996. Ozzy Osbourne and KISS headlined with Sepultura, Bohazard, Dog Eat Dog, Paradise Lost and Fear Factory on the main stage. The Kerrang! Stage featured Korn, Type O Negative, Everclear, 3 Colours Red, Honeycrack and Cecil.

KISS at Monsters of Rock 1996

Paul Stanley during KISS's closing set at Monsters of Rock 1996.

Monsters of Rock 1996

Two young metalheads throw the horns at Monsters of Rock 1996.

Monsters of Rock 1996

KISS fans in makeup at Monsters of Rock 1996.

Deep Purple at Monsters of Rock 2006

A decade after the last event at Donington Park, the Monsters of Rock name was revived on Saturday 3rd June 2006 for a one-dayer at Milton Keynes Bowl. Deep Purple headlined with Alice Cooper, Thunder, Queensrÿche, Journey, Ted Nugent and Roadstar also performed.

Alice Cooper at Monsters of Rock 2006

Thunder at Monsters of Rock 2006

Thunder frontman and Planet Rock presenter Danny Bowes at Monsters of Rock 2006.

Iron Maiden: Download Festival 2003

If you're going to return rock and metal to its rightful home of Donington Park, then it only seems right and proper to get the UK's biggest heavy metal act to kick things off. And kick off they did!

Audioslave: Download Festival 2003

Proving that supergroups still remained a popular draw, this fusion of Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and the instrumental wing of Rage Against The Machine transcended their original bands to forge an identity wholly their own.

Download Festival 2003 poster

Linkin Park: Download Festival 2004

Promoting their second album, 'Meteora', Linkin Park brought their fusion of heavy metal and rap when they headlined the main stage on the opening night of Download 2004.

Metallica: Download Festival 2004

Having made "secret" mid-afternoon appearance on the second stage with no soundcheck the previous year, the behemoth that is Metallica took its rightful place at the head of the table. Despite Lars Ulrich being rushed to hospital minutes beforehand, Metallica ploughed on with their set with Slayer's Dave Lombardo, Slipknot's Joey Jordison and their drum technician, Flemming Larsen, filling in for Lars.

Download Festival 2004 poster

Feeder: Download Festival 2005

So overjoyed was he at Feeder's reception from the crowd, the band's singer-guitarist Grant Nicholls smashed his Fender Jazzmaster. We hate to think what he'd have done if it had gone badly.

Black Sabbath: Download Festival 2005

The origin of the species, Black Sabbath pretty much invented heavy metal with their eponymous debut album before refining it throughout the 70s. You can call this one a homecoming.

System Of A Down: Download Festival 2005

As one of the most important metal bands of the 90s and beyond, System Of A Down are genuine gamechangers and worthy headliners of this celebrated event.

Download Festival 2005 poster

Tool: Download Festival 2006

Promoting their fourth album, '10,000 Days', Tool displayed an effortless ability to take the main stage and own it.

Metallica: Download Festival 2006

Returning to Download for their second headline slot and third appearance overall, Metallica celebrated the 20th anniversary of 'Master Of Puppets' by the playing the album in full. Fortunately Lars was in good health this time around.

Guns N’Roses: Download Festival 2006

After threatening to walk off after bottles were thrown onstage, both band and audience settled in for some hard rocking, with Axl Rose declaring, "I'm actually having quite a good time now! I couldn't have said that an hour ago!"

Download Festival 2006 poster

My Chemical Romance: Download Festival 2007

At arguably the highest point of their career, My Chemical Romance brought 'The Black Parade' to Donington Park.

Linkin Park: Download Festival 2007

Riding high on the back of their third album, 'Minutes To Midnight', Linkin Park returned to Donington Park for their second Download headlining set.

Iron Maiden: Download Festival 2007

With the end in sight for their massive 'A Matter Of Life And Death' tour, Iron Maiden returned to the UK for the first time since the previous December for their second Download headliner.

Download Festival 2007 line-up poster

Kiss: Download Festival 2008

Playing an epic 20-song set, Kiss brought their spectacular live show to this side of the Atlantic. Though perhaps the less said about Gene Simmons' bass solo, the better.

The Offspring: Download Festival 2008

The only punk band to have headlined the Download festival, The Offspring brought the pogo the headbangers. There's probably a song title there…

Download Festival 2008 line-up poster

Faith No More: Download Festival 2009

Returning for their first live shows in 11 years, Faith No More served to confirm just how much they'd been missed.

Slipknot: Download Festival 2009

Slipknot's first headline appearance at Download would also be their last UK performance with bassist Paul Gray before his death in 2010. Their performance was later released as the live DVD, '(sic) nesses'.

Def Leppard: Download Festival 2009

Since emerging from Sheffield as part of the New Wave Of British Metal, Def Leppard have gone on to become one of the biggest bands on the planet. Worthy headliners, indeed…

Download Festival 2009 line-up poster

AC/DC: Download Festival 2010

The only band to have brought their own stage to the Download festival, AC/DC delivered their full stadium show to create one of the most memorable headline sets ever.

Rage Against The Machine: Download Festival 2010

Bringing the revolution to Download, Rage Against The Machine detonated in combustible and explosive style just six months after claiming the UK Christmas number one with 'Killing In The Name'.

Aerosmith: Download Festival 2010

Headlining a day of torrential rain, classic rock overlords Aerosmith brought a touch of glamour to the otherwise sodden environs of Download.

Download Festival 2010 line-up poster

Def Leppard: Download Festival 2011

Having clearly enjoyed themselves just two years earlier, the NWOBHM juggernaut that is Def Leppard returned for their second Download headliner.

System Of A Down: Download Festival 2011

SOAD returned for another round of headline action at the Download festival.

Linkin Park: Download Festival 2011

Slotted in between the release of 2010's 'A Thousand Suns' and 2012's 'Living Things' album, Linkin Park made their third headlining appearance at Download.

Download Festival 2011 line-up poster

The Prodigy: Download Festival 2012

Fusing heavy metal with techno, The Prodigy lit up the Download festival after a wet start forced the cancellation of some acts.

Metallica: Download Festival 2012

For their third Download headliner, the metal titans that are Metallica elected to play the whole of their 1991 eponymous album – in reverse order.

Black Sabbath: Download Festival 2012

Despite being treated for cancer, Tony Iommi played as strongly as ever as Black Sabbath went through some of their biggest career highlights including 'War Pigs', 'Children Of The Grave' and 'Paranoid'.

Download Festival 2012 line-up poster

Slipknot: Download Festival 2013

Iowa's masked metallers Slipknot embarked on the The Memorial World Tour in honour of their late bassist Paul Gray, who died in 2010. As the scene of Slipknot's last UK appearance with him, calling in at Download was only right and fitting.

Iron Maiden: Download Festival 2013

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of their first Donington headline slot at Monsters of Rock as part of their 'Seventh Tour Of A Seventh Tour', the metal institution that is Iron Maiden returned to this hallowed ground.

Rammstein: Download Festival 2013

Does it get any more explosive than Teutonic titans Rammstein? Probably not, and so it be proved as Donington Park ignited in flames.

Download Festival 2013 line-up poster

Avenged Sevenfold: Download Festival 2014

Hot on the heels of their first transatlantic chart-topping album, 'Hail To The King', Avenged Sevenfold hit Download with the force of a Viking raiding party.

Linkin Park: Download Festival 2014

Following in the footsteps of bands such as Metallica revisiting their landmark records, Linkin Park played their debut album, 'Hybrid Theory', in full.

Aerosmith: Download Festival 2014

Back for their second Download festival headliner, Aerosmith brought this year's event to a spectacular close.

Download Festival 2014 line-up poster

Slipknot: Download Festival 2015

You can't keep a good band down as Slipknot return for their third Download festival headline slot.

Muse: Download Festival 2015

Playing and headlining Download festival for the first time, Muse's frontman Matt Bellamy – a man fond of conspiracy theories and fearful of state surveillance – lashed out the facial recognition software that had been employed the constabulary: "F*** Leicestershire police for scanning your faces!"

Kiss: Download Festival 2015

Was the police's facial recognition software needed for Kiss? And would they be able to tell the difference between say, Tommy Thayer and Ace Frehley?

Download Festival 2015 line-up poster

Rammstein: Download Festival 2016

It may have been one of the wettest Download festivals ever – perhaps it should have been re-named 'Downpour'? – but Rammstein still managed to bring their explosive live show.

Black Sabbath: Download Festival 2016

Embarking on their 'The End' farewell tour, Black Sabbath called in for one last time at the home of heavy metal.

Iron Maiden: Download Festival 2016

Topping the charts on 24 countries with their epic 'Book of Souls' album, Iron Maiden delivered the goods once more at Download.

Download Festival 2016 line-up poster

System Of A Down: Download Festival 2017

A third headline appearance for System Of A Down – no mean feat for and that hasn't releases an album since 2005's 'Hypnotize'.

Biffy Clyro: Download Festival 2017

Celebrating their second No. 1 album in the shape of 'Ellipsis', Biffy Clyro headlined Download for the first time.

Aerosmith: Download Festival 2017

Aerosmith have got to be doing something right if they've been asked back for their third Download headline appearance.

Download Festival 2017 line-up poster

Avenged Sevenfold: Download Festival 2018

Dedicating a cover of Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' to the late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain, Avenged Sevenfold also played a blistering career-spanning set.

Guns N’ Roses: Download Festival 2018

'Epic" doesn't even begin to it as Axl Rose reunited with guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagen for a mammoth three-hour set. And yes, they really did cover Glen Campbell's 'Witchita Lineman'.

Ozzy Osbourne: Download Festival 2018

Amazingly, it's Ozzy Osbourne's first solo headline slot at Download that sees him delivering the hits and a few dips into the Black Sabbath back catalogue.

Download Festival 2018 line-up poster

Def Leppard: Download Festival 2019

Sheffield's prodigal sons topped the line-up for a third time at Download 2019 where they performed their seminal 'Hysteria' album in its glorious entirety, alongside other gems.

Slipknot: Download Festival 2019

A decade on from their first bill-topping performance, Slipknot headlined Download Festival for a fourth time in June 2019 in support of their sixth studio album 'We Are Not Your Kind'

Tool: Download Festival 2019

The Los Angeles alternate metallers closed Download Festival 2019 with an audio-visual spectacular!

Download Festival 2019 line-up poster

Download Pilot line-up

The one-off Download Pilot line-up featured 40 UK based acts with Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Enter Shikari and Bullet For My Valentine headlining. The 10,000 capacity event was held in June 2021 as part of the second phase of the Government's scientific Events Research Programme during the Covid pandemic.

KISS: Download Festival 2022

After three long years away, Download Festival returned in June 2022 with KISS topping the bill on the Friday night as part of their End of the Road World Tour. Whether it's their last ever UK show remains to be seen.

Iron Maiden: Download Festival 2022

The mighty Iron Maiden brought their spectacular Legacy of the Beast World Tour to Donington Park in June 2022. The Saturday night performances marked the fifth time Maiden had headlined Download Festival.

Biffy Clyro: Download Festival 2022

Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro brought Download Festival 2022 with a hit-packed set in front of a sparsely-packed field.

Download Festival 2022 line-up

Download Festival 2023 line-up

Taking place over four days for the very first time, the 20th anniversary of Download Festival in 2023 was headlined by Metallica (twice), Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot.

Metallica: Download Festival 2023

The biggest metal band in the world, Metallica brought their mind-blowing M72 Tour stage setup to Donington, playing two completely different sets on Thursday and Saturday respectively.

Bring Me The Horizon: Download Festival 2023

After years of steadily larger arena tours and headline slots, the much-mooted Bring Me The Horizon finally stepped up to the headline position on Friday 9th June at Download Festival 2023. They brought a shedload of pyro, and a shedload of joy to their army of fans.

Slipknot: Download Festival 2023

Returning for their fifth headline slot at Download, the Iowa metal machine chewed up the adoring Sunday night crowd and spat them out, with a ferocious barrage of riffs.

Download Festival 2024

Headlined by Queens of the Stone Age (Friday 14th June), Fall Out Boy (Saturday 15th June) and Avenged Sevenfold (Sunday 16th June), Download Festival returned to its traditional three-day format following the extended four-day 20th anniversary event in 2023. Other bands performing across the weekend included Black Stone Cherry, Pantera, The Struts, Tom Morello, Those Damn Crows, Royal Blood, Kerry King, Mr. Bungle, Corey Taylor, Limp Bizkit, Florence Black, and many more.

Download Festival 2025: With Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn

In June 2025, Green Day, Sleep Token and Korn will headline Download, with additional performances from Bullet For My Valentine, Weezer, Shinedown, Jimmy Eat World, Donbroco, Spiritbox, Rise Against, Palaye Royale, Meshuggah, Within Temptation, Steel Panther, The Darkness and Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, among many others.